A new candidate for mayor?

Trish DeBerry, a well-known marketing and communications specialist, is seriously considering running for mayor of San Antonio, according to sources familiar with her deliberations.

DeBerry, a co-owner of Guerra-DeBerry-Coody, has for some time now been involved in an effort to find a candidate who appeals to the business community to enter the race to succeed Phil Hardberger. She has not made a final decision about whether she wants to make the race in May, but is exploring the possibility and has discussed it with several people close to her.

DeBerry is currently running the campaign to ease term limits for the mayor and City Council, a ballot initiative on the Nov. 4 ballot. If the initiative passes and DeBerry runs, she would be affected by it.

Earlier this year, DeBerry advised Fernando Reyes, a local business owner who briefly flirted with the idea of running for mayor. Last month she told Express-News columnist Jaime Castillo, “There’s still room for someone to jump into the race.”

She went on to say the person would have to be well-known, wealthy enough to seed their own campaign, or capable of raising a lot of money in a short amount of time.

“Although the public isn’t paying much attention right now, time is ticking away regarding raising money,” DeBerry said.

So far the only candidates who have made their interest in the office known are City Councilwoman Diane Cibrian and former councilman Julian Castro. Castro lost to Hardberger in 2005.